Although Leon Guerrero continued to work in various civil positions, it wasn't until the appointment of Governor Bill Daniel that a true leadership opportunity emerged.

After Daniel departed Guam, Leon Guerrero was left in charge, as the next highest public official, until a new governor was appointed.

[1] During his first term as governor, Leon Guerrero established the Guam Tourist Commission, whose purpose was to move the island's economy away from military dependence to one based on commercial tourism.

The commission's efforts were realized on May 1, 1967, when a Pan American World Airways flight arrived on Guam with 109 tourists from neighboring Japan.

[4] During the turbulent times of the Vietnam war, Governor Leon Guerrero was appointed to a second term by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1967.

Leon Guerrero and running mate "Tony" Yamashita were narrowly defeated by the Ricardo Bordallo and Richard F. Taitano team in a contentious primary.